17:I[66739,["/_next/static/chunks/0.3dg.jzl0xwf.js?dpl=dpl_wni71eTQeio7irGWmurLp7HRfDNL","/_next/static/chunks/05hx6kuf6-oy4.js?dpl=dpl_wni71eTQeio7irGWmurLp7HRfDNL","/_next/static/chunks/0~heydqc5smtk.js?dpl=dpl_wni71eTQeio7irGWmurLp7HRfDNL","/_next/static/chunks/0juapqyy99ga..js?dpl=dpl_wni71eTQeio7irGWmurLp7HRfDNL","/_next/static/chunks/12fz8clx4-stp.js?dpl=dpl_wni71eTQeio7irGWmurLp7HRfDNL","/_next/static/chunks/06dn~uer6.43l.js?dpl=dpl_wni71eTQeio7irGWmurLp7HRfDNL"],"default"] 19:I[38632,["/_next/static/chunks/0qqtp3r0h7kah.js?dpl=dpl_wni71eTQeio7irGWmurLp7HRfDNL","/_next/static/chunks/0iukvycbd42rl.js?dpl=dpl_wni71eTQeio7irGWmurLp7HRfDNL"],"IconMark"] 18:T4c1,The era of AI-generated viruses is here. Some scientists are using AI to design viruses that can attack bacteria. The hope is that these tailor-made viruses can fight drug-resistant bacterial infections in people. And longer-term, Brian Hie, the Stanford researcher spearheading this project, hopes that AI can help create more complicated biological systems to treat formidable diseases. But some experts warn that placed in the wrong hands, this technology could create the next pandemic.

Interested in more AI-related research? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.

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AI-made viruses could be the future of medicine

Short Wave

AI-made viruses could be the future of medicine